Altea: Beaches and Coves Boat Trip with Lunch

Clear water, warm sun, and lunch afloat. This Altea catamaran trip pairs a relaxed coastal cruise with time to swim in a quiet cove. I like the generous meal of salad, paella, bread, and fruit, and I like that one drink is included. The main consideration is that the trip offers limited explanation of the coastline, so it suits you better if swimming and scenery matter more than guided sightseeing.

You board at Puerto Altea 15 minutes before departure and return to the same port about three and a half hours later. The boat heads past beaches, cliffs, villages, and curved coves before anchoring at a remote beach. The overall rating is 3.4 from 115 reviews, which suggests a mixed experience, but the most consistent praise centers on good food, swimming, sunshine, and value.

The Altea boat trip at a glance

• A 3.5-hour catamaran cruise: You leave from Puerto Altea in the morning and return in the afternoon.
• A remote swimming stop: The boat anchors at a secluded cove with turquoise water and a picturesque beach.
• A full Spanish-style lunch: Your meal includes vegetable salad, paella, bread, and sweet fruit.
• One drink included: Choose from sangria, a soft drink, or water. Beer is also available as a drink choice during the cruise information, so check the current options when boarding.
• Coastal views from the water: You see Altea, golden beaches, tall cliffs, small villages, and sheltered coves from a different angle.
• Simple port logistics: Find the Mundo Marino Catamaran at Puerto Altea and arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start.

Setting out from Puerto Altea

The trip begins at Puerto Altea, where you look for the Mundo Marino Catamaran. Boarding starts 15 minutes before departure, a small detail that matters because the boat does not leave from a hotel or central meeting point. You arrange your own way to the port, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The morning departure gives the outing a useful shape. You spend the first part watching Altea recede behind you, then reach the coves and swimming area before lunch. After eating and having more time in the water, you sail back in the afternoon. That schedule leaves room for other plans later, though you should check the exact departure time when booking because starting times vary.

The first views are best enjoyed from the side of the boat or the open deck. From the water, Altea’s shoreline becomes a broad picture of pale beaches, cliffs, villages, and small inlets. This is one of the trip’s strongest reasons to go: you are not simply moving from one beach to another, you are seeing the coast as a whole.

Bring your phone or camera, but protect it from spray and wet hands. The trip specifically encourages photographs of Altea from the water, and this is likely to be your best chance for a different view of the town without committing to a long sightseeing walk.

Cruising past cliffs, beaches, and curved coves

The boat follows the coast toward sheltered coves with clear turquoise water. The route is scenic rather than heavily narrated, so you should think of the cruise as a floating viewpoint, not a formal history lesson.

That distinction matters. If you want detailed information about every village, cliff, and headland, this may feel light on commentary. One point raised in the feedback was a wish for more information about Benidorm. The crew speaks Spanish and English, but the available details do not promise extensive coastal interpretation.

I like the balance of movement and rest here. You can sit with a drink, watch the shore, and let the boat do the work. The catamaran format also gives you more room to spread out than a small rigid boat, although the exact capacity and seating arrangement are not specified.

The coastline is the main attraction, and the trip gives you time to enjoy it without trying to pack in several separate stops. You see the changing shore from the water, then settle into one cove for the active part of the day. If your ideal boat trip means a drink in hand, sun on deck, and no rush between attractions, this setup fits well.

Anchoring at the secluded cove

The boat eventually drops anchor near a remote, picturesque beach. This is the point where the cruise becomes more than a sightseeing ride. You can enter the cool water, swim near the boat, and look for small marine life and schools of silver fish.

You need to bring swimwear and a towel. Biodegradable sunscreen is requested, which is a sensible choice for a swimming stop in a coastal environment. A sun hat is also on the recommended packing list, and you will want one during the time spent on deck.

The water stop is also the trip’s least predictable part. The experience promises the opportunity to swim, but weather, sea conditions, and operational decisions can affect how long you are in the water. The supplied information does not give a precise swimming duration, so keep your expectations flexible.

This is not presented as a specialist snorkeling excursion. You may see fish and marine life in the clear water, but masks, fins, and other equipment are not listed as included. If you want to make the most of the stop, bring any personal swimming gear you need, while remembering that the official essentials are swimwear, towel, hat, biodegradable sunscreen, and cash.

The cove also gives you a break from sightseeing. You can swim, sit on deck, catch some sun, or simply watch the water. That relaxed pace is a major part of the appeal. The trip is not trying to fill every minute with commentary or activities.

Paella, salad, bread, and fruit on board

Lunch is one of the better features of this outing. The included meal consists of a vegetable salad, paella, bread, and fruit. It is more substantial than the light snack often served on short cruises, and the food received some of the clearest praise in the available feedback.

The meal is served after time at the cove, so you can warm up on deck and settle into lunch while the boat remains in the area. The exact paella ingredients are not specified, so you should not assume a particular seafood, meat, or vegetarian recipe. The information does confirm a vegetable salad and fruit, which gives the meal some freshness alongside the main dish.

The amount also seems to be a positive point. One particularly useful comment described the food as tasty, with plenty to go around. Another praised the meal as very good and considered the trip good value. For $63 per person, the combination of a boat excursion, a filling lunch, and one drink makes the price easier to justify than a cruise that charges separately for every small item.

Do not expect a restaurant service experience. This is a casual meal on a working excursion boat, with the sea and deck serving as your dining room. That is part of the fun, but it also means the meal is best judged as a generous part of a half-day outing rather than a stand-alone culinary event.

Drinks, deck time, and the pace of the afternoon

One drink is included. You can choose sangria, a soft drink, or water, and the cruise information also lists beer among the drink options. Additional drinks are available for purchase, so bring cash as recommended.

The included drink is a welcome touch because the sun and sea air can leave you thirsty. Still, one serving may not be enough for three and a half hours, especially if you spend time swimming or sitting in full sun. Plan to buy more on board if needed, and do not forget that cash is specifically listed among the things to bring.

The pace is deliberately easy. You are not rushing through several coves or jumping from one attraction to the next. Instead, you cruise, anchor, swim, eat, and have more time in the water before returning to Altea.

That rhythm works particularly well for couples, families with older children, and groups that want a social half-day outdoors. It may feel too passive if you want guided activities, serious snorkeling, or a packed sightseeing schedule. The trip is about enjoying the coast, not collecting a long list of stops.

How the $63 price holds up

At $63 per person, the value depends on how you use the three and a half hours. You receive the catamaran ride, a swimming stop, lunch, and one drink. Those inclusions cover the main parts of the experience, so you are not starting with a low fare that quickly grows through meal and beverage charges.

The price looks strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a coastal cruise and lunch. It is also useful for a group: one piece of feedback described the operator opening the trip for a party of 18, and the group found the experience worthwhile. That suggests the format can work for a larger family or social gathering, provided everyone is happy with a relaxed boat day.

The value is weaker if you mainly want detailed commentary about Altea and nearby sights. The available information gives no indication of a long guided explanation, and the request for more information about Benidorm points to a possible gap for sightseeing-focused visitors.

The trip earns its price through atmosphere, food, and access to the water. It is not the cheapest way to see the coast if you only want photographs, but it becomes reasonable when you also swim and eat lunch on board.

What to bring and how to prepare

Keep your packing simple, but take the right things:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sun hat
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Cash for extra drinks
• A phone or camera for views of Altea from the sea

Wear something comfortable for sitting on deck and getting wet. The information does not specify changing facilities, so arrive ready to swim or keep your clothing easy to manage.

You should also remember that the boat tour is not accessible for everyone. It is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments and wheelchair users. If you need step-free access or special boarding assistance, this is not the right choice based on the available information.

The meeting point is straightforward, but transportation is not bundled in. You need to reach Puerto Altea yourself and find the Mundo Marino Catamaran. Boarding takes place 15 minutes before the start, so build in time to locate the boat rather than arriving at the last moment.

Who will enjoy this Altea cruise most

I would choose this outing if you want a simple day at sea with three clear ingredients: coastal views, swimming, and lunch. It is especially suitable if you enjoy sitting in the sun, taking photographs, and sharing a relaxed activity with friends or family.

The strongest match is for:

• Couples looking for an easy half-day on the water
• Families whose children can swim and manage a boat outing
• Groups that want a social meal and a scenic cruise
• Visitors staying in or near Altea who can reach Puerto Altea independently
• Anyone who values a full lunch rather than a small snack

I would think twice if you need a wheelchair-accessible activity, want hotel transport, or expect a detailed guided tour. You may also prefer another type of excursion if your main goal is extended snorkeling, since the swimming stop is included as an opportunity rather than a specialist water-sports program.

The overall rating of 3.4 suggests you should keep expectations measured. The most praised elements are consistent enough to matter: the food, the chance to swim, the sunshine, and the sense that the outing offers good value. The weaker point is the limited amount of sightseeing information.

Booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Altea plans are still shifting.

The tour operates in Spanish and English. It begins and ends at Puerto Altea, and the advertised duration is three and a half hours. Starting times are checked through availability, so do not assume every day follows the same schedule.

The activity returns to the original meeting point in the afternoon. That makes it easy to plan around, but leave some breathing room after the cruise in case you want time to collect belongings, find transport, or freshen up before your next plan.

Should you book this Altea boat trip?

Book it if you want a sunny, uncomplicated half-day that combines a catamaran ride, a secluded swimming stop, paella lunch, and a drink for $63. The food and swimming are the clearest strengths, and the coastal views give you a fresh way to see Altea.

Skip it if you need detailed commentary, accessible boarding, hotel pickup, or a serious snorkeling excursion. For everyone else, this is a sensible choice when the sea is calling and you would rather spend the day enjoying one beautiful cove than racing through a long list of sights.

FAQ

Where does the Altea catamaran trip begin?

The activity begins at Puerto Altea. Look for the Mundo Marino Catamaran and arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time.

Where does the boat trip end?

The cruise ends back at the original meeting point in Puerto Altea.

How long does the boat trip last?

The advertised duration is three and a half hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes vegetable salad, paella, bread, and fruit.

Is a drink included?

Yes. One drink is included. Options listed include sangria, a soft drink, and water, with beer also listed in the cruise information. Additional drinks can be purchased.

Can I swim during the excursion?

Yes. The boat anchors at a remote cove where you have the opportunity to swim in clear turquoise water and see marine life.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments.